Court sends MIM leader to five-day police custody

A court in Nirmal town of Andhra Pradesh Friday sent MIM leader Akbaruddin Owaisi to five-day police custody in a hate speech case.

The magistrate's court in Nirmal town of Adilabad district, about 200 km from here, pronounced the orders, remanding the legislator to police custody.

The Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) leader was Wednesday sent to judicial custody for 14 days and is currently lodged in district jail in Adilabad, some 90 km from Nirmal.

Though police sought Akbar’s custody for seven days for further questioning with regard to his Dec 22 speech in Nirmal town, the court granted five-day custody.

Police would question Akbar Owaisi for five days from Saturday, every day between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. It was immediately not clear if police would question him in Adilabad or bring him to Nirmal town

The member of Andhra Pradesh state assembly has been charged with sedition, waging war against the nation, criminal conspiracy and other offences.

While seeking the legislator's custody, police said he did not cooperate during the questioning after his arrest and they need to further question him. Akbar’s lawyer opposed the police petition on the ground that he is not well. The magistrate directed police to provide necessary medical help and not to subject him to physical or mental torture.

The court adjourned to Jan 16 hearing on Akbar’s petition, seeking special prisoner status for the legislator.

Meanwhile, the MIM leader continues to face more cases. A court in Anantapur admitted a petition filed by some Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders, seeking action against him for his provocative speeches. The court adjourned the hearing to Jan 16.

In another development, a court in Hyderabad directed Mangalhat police station to conduct investigations and submit a report by Feb 11. The orders were issued on a petition by Raja Singh, a leader of Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and corporator from Mangalhat.